they used a robot, one of the tools used to check out the safety. it uses ground-penetrating radar, ultrasonic waves and high definition imaging to determine whether concrete or steel reinforcement is deteriorating. other bridges in our area will be tested over the next few days. >>> some northern virginia hybrid car owners have found a new way to vent about opposition to a fee. a bill approved by lawmakers doubles the registration fee from $50 to $100. as northern virginian bureau chief reports, many local hybrid drivers hope their signatures might change some minds. >> reporter: the vote on virginia's massive transportation funding plan was just hours old before some lawmakers set out to change the measure, launching a petition drive to strip the so-called hybrid tax out of the bill. the legislation brings $3.5 billion to road, rail and transit projects through a complicated combination of new taxes and fees. perhaps the most controversial, a $100 annual fee on hybrids and other alternative fuel vehicles. >> well, i don't think that's a very good